Kyosho Tiger Moth Conversion

[Mellemel]

:D Just for your info if anyone wants to know the set up I have in this Moth.
Just the bits I use are as follows, sorry I don't have any other numbers etc...
Axi 4120/18
CC PH.60 controller
Tanic 2500 4S1P
12x6.5 prop.
She'll take off at half throttle and maintain a nice scaleish cruising speed with a mixed bag of loops, stall turns etc. for between 10-12 minutes.

Actually the 4120 Axi is over power but I like the safety margin to pull you out of trouble.
Otherwise nodrunken behaviour from this bird ! floats around like a trainer !

Absolutey love it.

[xray2]

Very cool and Thanks!

I've been thinking of doing the same so it's good to have a different perspective. It's intereresting that you went the other way with a larger axi, more voltage, more rpms and a smaller diameter prop.

Hobby-Lobby has a page (http://www.hobby-lobby.com/g2e-kyotigmoth.htm) recommending the following:

AXI 2826/12
Jeti Advance PLUS 40 Amp Opto Brushless Controller
Thunder Power 2S2P 4200 mAh 7.4V Li-Poly Battery
APC 13x6.5 Electric Flight Prop

Got any pics/videos? You don't happen to be in southern california are ya?

BTW... Where did you get your Kyosho Tiger Moth 40?

[drksyd]

Actually 4S on the 4120/18 isn't that much voltage since that motor has a lower kv than the 4120/14. I'll be using a 5S pack and 12x8 prop on my .40 Cesna and that is one of the recommendations from Axi.

The Kyosho kit is very nice, too nice for glow with the fabric covering. What's your auw?

[Mellemel]

drksyd, auw is approx 3kg/6.6lbs measured on the trusty bathroom scales ! That's with the 4S1P and 4 standard size servos.
When I first looked around for the motor to use on this plane I could not find a conversion anyone had done with an Axi so I was recommended this Axi by Aircraft.com later on I see Hobby L. are recommending a smaller size Axi. I was also told to avoid going to a 5S lipo on this motor as it was the first large conversion I had done I was listening to other peoples advice somewhat.
However I am flying her very nicely on the 4S1P lipo, prop is a 12x6, I busted the 13x6 I originally had ! and I'm getting 12 -15 minutes flight times.

[Mellemel]

xray2, Hi, did you recieve my PM ?
I'll post some photos and a video If I can figure out how.
M.

[sergiona]

:) I have PT-17 stearman

2816/12 and 4120/18


http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=393271#post4317153 (http://)

[Mellemel]

The front cockpit floor is cut away just enough to slip in the 4S lipo, slides in nicely and is secured with velcto and foam pading.

[Mellemel]

Hi Sergiona,
Can't open your link ??? So what props/battery set ups do you have with both these motors ? how are the flight times ?
M.

[drksyd]

What kind of lipo's are you using? That's pretty good to get that kind of flight times with that size plane without running the packs in parallel.

[sergiona]

Lipo kokan 2100 20C 4S

2826/12 13x6 +- 12'

4120/18 15x8 +- 12' goold

[xray2]

Mellemel:

Great plane and pics! How much authority does she fly with? I'm sure you can fly scale like with the power system but can you climb at 45' until you can't see it? I'm trying to get an idea of how aerobatic the Kyosho can be.

I am also trying to track down the Kyosho Tiger Moth 40 ARF. Tower no longer has them on the web page and e-flightline does not stock the Kyosho either. If anyone know where I could buy one in the US please let me know. :)

sergiona:

What kind of current draw are you seeing on your batteries? Do you know how much thrust is generated? Performance?

--

I'm seriously considering the axi 2826/12 or possibly 2826/10. The axi 41xx series is a bit more than I wanted to spend. However I am looking for opinions based on performance so I can "do the right thing". This will be the largest (read: heaviest) electric I've built and flown. I've flown .60 sized glow but just hate the mess and the lack of local places to fly in Southern California.

[Mellemel]

drksyd and xray2, Yeah, I know, pretty good hey ! it's a Tanic 4S1P.
I take off from a single dirt track so have to keep the plane tracking straight so it's full throttle sprint, airborne, and back off a few clicks, circle, then half throttle climbing circuits, she won't climb at 45 deg. might need a 5S for that trick !
about 3 circuits on half Throttle gets it's high enough to be getting small ! then I'm doing some rolls, inverted, stall turns, shut off and glide even, I have a parachute doll in the front seat, that's fun, a couple of low passes, and that takes care of at least 12 mins on the stop watch . The motor is cool the lipo is a good hand warmer. This size Axi while bigger than the hobby Lobby recommendation keeps the balance right with just a 4S1P.
The video wont seem to upload, I'll have another try.
Mel.

[Mellemel]

Sergiona, so the Kokam lipo is a 4S 1pack ???
You have a 15x8 prop on the 4120/18 giving you + - 12 minutes ?

That's great.

[B717 Furloughee]

Is this plane still available somewhere?

[Mellemel]

I can get these Kyosho Tiger Moths for anyone who wants one ! If anyone is interested I'll get a price with shipping. They are still available here in Japan.

[Mellemel]

Found 1 on eBay, be quick.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&from=R10&satitle=Kyosho+Tiger+moth+40&sacat=220%26catref%3DC6&bs=Search&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp=&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=ZIP%2FPostal&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=

[drksyd]

I am, lol.

[xray2]

Is this plane still available somewhere?

I called Kyosho USA yesterday and they have been discontinued for almost a year. Mellemel's over seas so he should have access to items we do not in the states.

-- xray2

[xray2]

I am, lol.

Let's start a bidding war on eBay! :eek:

J/K

[Mellemel]

Hi guys, while I'm only using a 4S 14.8v pack in this Moth and the Axi I'm using, a 4120/18 is rated for up to 20 cells, 24v it wouldn't do any harm to go to a 5S 18.5v would it ?
Is any one using 5S on this Axi ?
The reason I'm using a 4S is someone advised me against a more powerful 5S on this motor.
Thanks.

[xray2]

Hi guys, while I'm only using a 4S 14.8v pack in this Moth and the Axi I'm using, a 4120/18 is rated for up to 20 cells, 24v it wouldn't do any harm to go to a 5S 18.5v would it ?
Is any one using 5S on this Axi ?
The reason I'm using a 4S is someone advised me against a more powerful 5S on this motor.
Thanks.

Mel,

A fully charged 5S pack would be 21 volts . This is within your specs but I'd be worried about current draw and that depends on prop size. If you have a watt meter I'd recommend running it up on the bench and subtracting 20% for static testing. If you're high on the amps try reducing the pitch or stepping the prop size down by 1". You could also email the hobby-lobby support crew and see what they say.

I'd loan you my watt meter but the round trip shipping charges would kill you!

-- Steve

Just re-read the post - Higher voltage usually dictates a smaller prop or reduced pitch. You probably already know that but if you are unwilling to change the prop, forget about adding that extra cell.

[Mellemel]

Thanks Steve, No worries, I have a watt meter Thanks ! You know the reason I'm asking your advice was yesterdays flight seemed under powered ! there was a light breeze but nothing like a strong headwind ! the duration was down to 8 minutes ! yikes !
I realised though when recharging the Lipo's on the 12v car battery it was not up to it's full charge so therefore possibly did not deliver a strong enough charge into the lipo !! I'm only guessing though. Another possibility could be at the weekend I nosed over and snapped the 13x6.5 prop I now have a 12x6 on, thats gotta be the reason she wasn't pulling as well ! I'm going to try a 13x6.5 again and a 14x6 before trying a 5S pack.
Before you say, No I don't charge in the car, it's battery on the bench with the lipo in a Full metal bucket !

Man , wall to wall blue sky here, not a breath o' wind neither, see ya !! the runway is a callin'

Mel.

[drksyd]

The 4120 will take up to 7S packs, but yes with a smaller prop. You can see the specs here. http://www.modelmotors.cz/index.php?id=en&nc=produkty_vypis&kategorie=m_neodym_ac&id_rady=axi_41&id_produktu=axi_4120_18&nazev_rady=Series%20AXI%2041%20GOLD%20LINE&hmotnost_rady=(320%20-%20409%20g)

[Mellemel]

Hi guys, Ok I got a suspect lipo !! that's why the duration is dropping down to 5 mins today !!! its a Tanic 2S 2P making 14.8v I had two of these the first one swelled up after its 3rd flight which I returned to Brian at R/C Toys who kindly replaced it with a 4S1P which performs great.
I also am using an APC e 14x6 which works very well and pulls 29 amps. I get a 10 minute flight.

Mel.

[drksyd]

Mel
Just curious, could you let me know what you could get the TM for and shipping.

Thanks,
Cliff

[Mellemel]

Hi Cliff, I cheapest I can get one for would be around $350 US + shipping. Last year I mailed a couple of Kyosho F16's to the states If I remember I think the shipping was about $ 25. I'd have to check that again, the Tiger Moth is a bigger box. I mailed a similar size/weight box to the UK that was $50 sea mail. It took a month to arrive.
Cheers.

Mel.

[xray2]

Hey Cliff,

I found myself in the same position with "Kyosho Tiger Moth envy" and no kits or replacement parts available here in the states. After a little digging I came up with one from hobby-lobby (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=625286) and another from pacific aero models (http://www.pacaeromodel.com/TigerMoth/TIgerMoth.htm#Tiger%20Moth%2030%20Size%20ARF) (scroll down to .30 size).

The hobby-lobby tiger moth is in their fall 2005 catalog #46 but does not appear on the web page. From what everyone is saying, and the specifications, it's the same thing as the pacific aero .30 sized tiger moth but pre-converted for electric with a different monokote scheme. The pacific aero tiger moth is also available in 3 colors (yellow, red/silver and military-green/yellow).

I picked up the military tiger moth from pacific aero last Tuesday and have been slowly working on the conversion. Yesterday I picked up four Hitec HS85 MG servos, two Tanic 3s1p 2220 lipos and an FMA deans parallel power bus connector. Of course, this is on top of a phoenix 45 and a multiplex BL-480/4G brushless with 4:1 gearbox. Needless to say, this has turned into one of those money is no object obsessions.... Thanks Mel! :rolleyes:

http://www.pacaeromodel.com/TigerMoth/TigerMil.jpg

Here's another rcgroups pacific aero thread. (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=353265)

I will be swinging a 13x6.5 prop at around 300 watts and ~70 oz of thrust. The multiplex calculator does not have the tanic batteries listed and the generation 2 thunder power packs do not have quite the same punch. Best guess is my tanics will provide about 1.2x the output of the older tp batteries.

http://www.socalflyers.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10006/multiplex-480-4g-tp2100-3s2.png

The plane is expected to weigh in at < 64 oz so I should have better than 1:1 thrust to weight. Not quite scale like performance but it should be a blast! With a little luck I may have it ready to fly on Friday. :)

Sorry to hear about your recent lipo problems Mel.


-- Steve

[Mellemel]

Hey, keep us updated on the Moth you got. I ordered a new 4400Mah 14.8v lipo this week, looking forward to some 20 minute flights !
Also I cut out the front cockpit floor for the battery but once it's slid in place the cockpit area is free of obstruction so I have an action character loaned of my 4.5 year old with a parachute attached,he just stands in there, get high enough go inverted and out he pops ! kids love running after him, great fun you gotta try it.
That Multiplex calc. looks interesting , think I'll run some numbers on it.
You know I thought about selling the Kyosho Moth and getting the Pacific models one just as it was a little smaller and maybe more economical with lipo's ! I like the Red/ Silver colors to, my GWS moth is that colour.
Thanks,
Don't forget some pics !

Mel.

[Mellemel]

Steve, can you post a link to that Calculator ? Thanks.

[drksyd]

Mel
Thanks for looking into it.

Steve
I've seen the one that HL has and it's a very nice kit, just a little smaller than the Kyosho. What I like about the Kyosho kit is the fabric covering, don't see that anymore. The HL kit would be a good buy now since they have a sale going on now, save $25 on every order over $150. That's a good way to stock up on the Poly Quest XP packs.
The calc is the same as PCalc (http://brantuas.com/ezcalc/dma1.asp) I'm quite sure.

[drksyd]

Steve
Did you get the ic version or electric version from Pacific Aero, I looked at their site and they have an electric version available.

[xray2]

Steve, can you post a link to that Calculator ? Thanks.

Here's the Multiplex Motor Calculator (http://brantuas.com/ezcalc/multiplexcalc.asp). Unlike p-calc it does not take the properties of your aircraft into consideration and it's limited to the multiplex motors. I went with my existing multiplex brushless setup since there was no additional cost and the numbers looked solid on the calculator. Oh, and the mutiplex power system weighed in a little over an once less than the axi I was looking at.


Here's the link for the AXI at Model Motors (http://www.modelmotors.cz/index.php?id=en&nc=produkty_vypis&kategorie=m_neodym_ac&id_rady=axi_28&id_produktu=axi_2820_10&nazev_rady=Series%20AXI%2028%20GOLD%20LINE&hmotnost_rady=(78%20-%20161%20g)).


And another link with various motor test results including the AXI at FlyingModels.org (http://www.flyingmodels.org/motortest/Link_e.htm).

[xray2]

I've seen the one that HL has and it's a very nice kit, just a little smaller than the Kyosho. What I like about the Kyosho kit is the fabric covering, don't see that anymore.
Yea, I loved the idea of fabric covering but had to pass since the kit and replacement parts are no longer available here in California. If Kyosho USA decides to bring it back, I will be the first in line.

The HL kit would be a good buy now since they have a sale going on now, save $25 on every order over $150. That's a good way to stock up on the Poly Quest XP packs.
You can save a few extra $$ as well by completing the Hobby Lobby Glow2Electric (http://www.hobby-lobby.com/glow2electric.htm) conversion form. It took them about 2 days to get back to me but the response came with a coupon for free shipping that expired after 24 hours. If you expect to use this, be ready to purchase as soon as you get the response.

[xray2]

Wow, busy thread today.... I didn't see page 3!

Electric or Glow?? http://www.socalflyers.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10006/thumb_PB160754.JPG (http://www.socalflyers.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=58) Want to guess?

Cliff, I purchased the Tiger Moth .30 glow version from Pacific Aeromodel. After talking with Johnson Ting, the owner, I understood the electric was simply a combo version minus the fuel tank and they threw in Chinese brand brushless outrunner. I gave the motor a once over but for another $15 you'd be able to buy an AXI at list price.

Because I'm using the multiplex inrunner motor, I was able to use the included split glass glow engine mount that came with the kit. I then picked up a 380 sized clam shell motor mount to hold my brushless in place. I also kept the existing thrust angle (down and right) after talking to some of the guys who completed the axi conversion.

So far I've had to remove a couple of internal plywood trays that held the fuel tank and cut a hole in the firewall below the motor so the batteries could pass thru. I also picked some du-bro 2-56 x 3/4" socket head cap screws to mount the control horns. Everything on this plane is pull-pull and, unless the directions were not clear enough (sometimes they aren't), I did not like mounting a pull-pull with small wood screws.

I'm a few days behind in posting pictures of the conversion but you can see what I started with in my gallery over on SocalFlyers.com (http://www.socalflyers.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=58).

If you buy one from Johnson, be sure to pickup the extra cowl. I'm not sure but I think it was only $15 and from everything I've read, you'll need it sooner or later. Oh, almost forgot, I think he said that the MT shipping was a flat $8 but you may pay a little more getting it out to Hawaii.

For the record, the Pacific AeroModel Tiger Moth is slightly smaller and a lot lighter than the Kyosho.

Kyosho
WINGSPAN: 54 in
LENGTH: 44 in
WING AREA: 899 sq.in
WEIGHT: 6.2 lbs
WING LOADING: 15.8 oz./sq.ft

Pacific AeroModel
WINGSPAN: 50 in
LENGTH: 40 in
WING AREA: 723 sq.in
WEIGHT: 3.7-4.1 lbs (let's call it 4.0)
WING LOADING: 11.3 oz./sq.ft (base on 4.0 lbs)

[drksyd]

Too bad you need to buy the motor and all. Their pics show a built up motor mount which would make the conversion easy. I used the ic motor mount with clamshell mount in my GP Combat P-51 and that's even easier.
Unfortunately I'm pretty much flat broke. I have the GP .60 Tiger Moth I should actually work on. My H9 Miss America is in the works now but haven't touched it for a while but may get to the big Moth after that.

[xray2]

I was looking at the Johnson's Pacific AeroModel business card and noticed a second website on it. This one has more details about the aircraft and combos. For $339.99 you get the TM, brushless motor, esc and motor mount. That's the e-combo they keep referring to.

http://www.ecsvr.com/wrc/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=8&subcat=53&cat=30+Size+ARF

They've also got a nice looking extra 300 (all yellow) and a .30 sized ultimate too.

If you had to buy a motor, himaxx has some new very large outrunners for around $100 and e-flite also has a large "60" for about the same price. You can also get the e-flite 40 amp brushless controller for around $50 USD. I would also recommend checking the for sale forums here on rcgroups. Both of these items show up regularly at great prices but go fast.

I was also seriously considering doing the glow to electric conversion on the Great Planes .60 Tiger Moth but the motor and batteries would have killed me. That's a 74" wingspan and weights something like 10.5 lbs! Very cool but the batteries alone would cost more than I've sunk into my .30 sized PA TM.

Below is excerpt from the Hobby Lobby response on electrifying the Great Planes Tiger Moth. I asked for good power in sport but not up to the 3D range. They referred me to a similar sized plane for the recommended parts:

Hello,

Thank you for the opportunity to convert your Glow plane to Electric power. We at Hobby Lobby feel confident that anyone who pilots an airplane that has a well thought out, brushless setup such as this one will fall in love with electric power. Following many advances in recent years, it will truly out perform glow in many ways. You will notice that more and more professional pilots are using brushless electric for it's numerous performance advantages. Electric pilots say they have serious trouble going back to their glow... Just charge and fly, pack up and go home when done with no cleanup.

Here's everything you'll need to complete your Glow to Electric Conversion of the Tiger Moth from Great Planes.

You'll be happy to hear that we actually already have a perfectly suited electric setup and charger ready as a combo. Order # H9USTK60, for $799.00. You can see it on the web at http://www.hobby-lobby.com/g2e-h9ultstk60.htm

Needless to say, I gagged when I saw the $799 price. :eek:

I should also mention that the .30 sized TM really needs a lipo based power system. Two 3s1p 2100 packs weigh about 16 oz less than a 10 cell GP 3300 NiMH pack. However, if you were converting the Great Planes model, you could put two of those 10 cell NiMH packs in parallel for about $100. I seriously doubt the GP model would event notice the extra weight.

[drksyd]

I have an E-Flite Power 60, I got it for a good deal at a lhs. I think it puts out more power than the 4130 and may be more effeceint. That's actually going into Miss America so I'll see how well it performs.
Check out this thread, he has great performance with his Axi and 24nimh's.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255752&highlight=slide

[xray2]

Check out this thread, he has great performance with his Axi and 24nimh's.

Yea, I've seen that one. I love the fact he's got 3 lbs of batteries!

Seriously, someone brought a GP Tiger Moth to a glow meeting a few months back and I was drooling over it. Unfortunately, we're loosing our glow field at El Toro, which is a former marine air station being converted over to housing. Guess that's what happens when homes are selling for $1M + each. :mad:

My 50" PA Tiger Moth is probably about as big as I'm going to be able to safely fly out of the local high school field. There's just no open space left here in Southern California unless you're 1/2 way through the desert to Las Vegas! One day that will be gone too. I want to cry every time I see pictures from the mid west where guys have a private runway on someones farm and acres and acres of space to fly in.

[Mellemel]

Whoah, I'm getting left behind here, Cliff I too have the GP combat P51, do you experience any bad vibration at all from the motor ?
I'm using a Feigao geared, you can see the mounting is very secure but at half throttle there's a real vibration but at full it's quiet and smooth ! guess it could be an unbalanced prop !
Steve, I wish I'd got one of those Tiger moths now ! I'd never heard of them before you mentioned it. If your'e using 3S1P's I have a stack of these for the GWS planes with the Kyosho Moth I have to buy 4S packs arrr well musn't complain.
Actually I'm trying to track down a spare cowl with no luck ! Did you get the bit about the parachutist ?

Mel.

[Mellemel]

I also stripped the gears today on the Aileron mini servo ! I'm taking this as a warning and putting in two standard size servos.

[drksyd]

Mel
You can see my GP P-51 thread here. (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=401036)

Steve
It sounds strange to hear you say there's no places to fly. I'm on a rock that's a speck compared to CA, I would figure there must be some open land off the beaten path you could fly at.

[Mellemel]

Thanks for the link Cliff, you know what, I took off the cowl and retightened the mount screws about a 1/4 turn, vibration gone ! easy fix huh.
I know this a TM thread but just quickly Cliff, what flight times do you get with your P51 ?
I'm using the E-Flightline.com Feigao BL geared set up with an 11x5.5 and 2500Mah 4S1P and get between 8 - 10 mins.

Steve, hows the TM coming along ??

Mel.

[drksyd]

It's been out of commission for a while but I used to fly it about 6-7 minutes with a lot of throttle. Ordered a new fuse and tail set so it'll be back flying hopefully next weekend. Post in my thread, I'll have some new stuff in the P-51.

[Mellemel]

xray2,, what's happening with the Moth ??
I had my CC60 start smoking last week ! Castle emailed me saying they think it is a faulty FET and are fixing it for me . By the way I'm fitting a UBEC in there also at the recommendation of the CC staff.

Mel.

[B717 Furloughee]

Can these be found/purchased in Hong Kong or China? I travel there often but would need to know where specifically.

[Greg Smith]

I had one of these. A very nice flier and very impressive in the air. I used it as my "bigger biplane trainer" and damaged/rebuilt it so many times that finally I declared it dead.

I also have the Pacific TM (the yellow one in the photos) which is slightly smaller and much lighter. They are both fine models and excellent electric conversions.

I added custom paint/trim schemes on each.

[Mellemel]

Greg, Thanks, Nice shots, can you tell us what set ups you used in these Moths ?

Mel.

[Greg Smith]

The Kyosho Moth was a Mega 22/45/3 geared about 2:1 on 12-18 2400mah Nicads (I had it about 2 years ago before Lithiums became popular). Prop was about a 12x8. It flew well and scale-like on 12 cells; on 18 it was very powerful but too heavy and tended to bend the gear.

The Pacific Aeromodels Moth uses an Astro 05 geared 3:1, a 4200 mah Thunderpower 3s2p battery and a 12x8 prop and that is really a perfect setup. I also fly it with a 1050 10 cell Nimah and it is a little more stable with the extra weight.

You really can't go wrong with either of these models - they look and fly just like Tiger Moths....

[xray2]

The TM is back!

Ok, I put and old E-Flite Power 32 on the Tiger Moth then installed a Dynam 45A Opto ESC and Dynam BEC 3A to power the receiver and servos. I then connected the watt meter and a X-Caliber 2200 3 Cell 20c pack. The prop is an APC 12x6E.

Bench numbers came in at 29.7A static draw with LOTS of thrust. Unloaded, I hope to drop to 24A at full throttle. The plane is about 3-4oz lighter now that I have only one battery pack installed but the flight times will be much shorter. Looks like I could have done this with either the Dynam 30A ESC or Dynam 40A ESC (just to play it safe).

It this works out tomorrow, I will move up to the X-Caliber 3300 4 cell 20C pack next week. That should reduce the current draw, increasing the RPMs and give me greater flight times. If that works, I may try the Scorpion 3020-14 brushless motor next!

After years of screwing with this bird, I may finally have a power system to drive it. The batteries and brushless motors have finally caught up at a reasonable price point. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

[conder53]

xray2 looking forward to hearing how your tiggy flys, I to have the same plane still sitting in the box. Some day I'll start the build.
Good luck with your maiden, have a great day.

Alan.

[xray2]

Hi Alan... It's funny you should ask because I took the Tiger Moth out for another spin today.

After my last post I tried the X-Caliber 2200 3 cell 20C pack with an APC 12x6E prop. The power was much better than I've had before on this model but still on the under powered side. The xcaliber battery put out lots of power but with only 3 cells it just didn't have the pickup and climb I was looking for. In fact, I was going so easy on the battery that it only took 700ma on the charger after a moderately aggressive 5 minute flight.

Well, that was late in the day and the wind was picking up so I though I would give it another go today. The performance was again on the "good" side but nothing to get excited about. In fact, the plane was still light in the nose and I had to add a little weight to make it balance. Not good.

So as luck would have it (good for me, bad for a flying buddy) I was given a fully charged 4 cell 2200 TP battery pack to try out. My buddy broke his JR antenna just before I got to the field so he was done for the day and had several fully charged batteries with no way to fly them. :rolleyes:

Well, I couldn't resist so I popped in the 4 cell and the Tiger Moth balanced as it had before. Great start! Next I ran it up on the ground and it gave the impression of having more thrust. I didn't have a watt meter but my Dynam 45 ESC remained cool so I pointed it into the wind and took off.

The plane was airborne in no time and achieved about a 60' climb at about 5/8 throttle. When gunned it, the Tiger Moth turned into a real rocket ship! Lots of speed, great rolls, excellent hammer heads and a whole lot of positive comments from the spectators.

I ran the pack for about 10 1/2 minutes including a couple of take offs and landings. When my buddy finishes charging his battery I will post the actual usage. We did measure the voltage after the flight and it was 14 volts.

I must say this was absolutely the best my Tiger Moth has ever flown. I'm no longer disappointed in the power system and will be picking up an x-caliber 2200 4 cell 20c pack as soon as our distributor has them in stock. This looks like an excellent power, weight and duration match for the aircraft.

If you get the right power system you're going to love your Tiger Moth as much as I do today. What a great experience and the world of difference upgrading it from 3 to 4 cells made.

Just shout if you have any questions about the build, or need a picture or two to explain things. Be sure to post pics of yours once your done too!

-- Steve

[conder53]

G-day Steve

Just went out to the shed to look at the Moth kit, it is the Phoenix Model kit not the Kyosho but I think they are pretty much the same. It has 56.7 inch wing span, weight is 2600 to 2800 grams, designed for a 40 two stroke or 53 four stroke. I,ve got some photos of it somewhere I'll find them and post them. Some photos of your plane would maybe inspire me to start mine.

Sounds like the 4s is the way to go (more money).

Have a great day Steve.

Alan.

[xray2]

Alan,

The Kyosho Tiger Moth was discontinued in the states back in late 2005. I ended up with a 30 size from pacific aero models (http://www.pacaeromodel.com/TigerMoth/TIgerMoth.htm#Tiger%20Moth%2030%20Size%20ARF) (scroll down to .30 size). Mine has a 50" wing span so your Tiger Moth is larger and slightly heavier. With brushless motor, lipo batteries and brushless ESC price about 1/3 what they were 2 years ago, the size and weight is really no longer an issue.

No word yet from my friend. He's been off flying his 35% gas planes for the 4th of July and the electrics (and charging batteries) has taken a back seat.

I am trying to get another buddy to bring his video camera out to the field this weekend and take a few shots of the Tiger Moth in action. It's such a radical change having a good quality 4 cell battery and Dynam ESC that I'm actually proud of the Tiger Moth again!

Please post those pictures when you find them...

-- Steve

[conder53]

Hi Steve

Found a couple of photos. plane was taken out of box and held together with tape for photos, I'll probably use an e-flite 46 with 4s or 5s lipo.

happy flying Steve

Alan.

[conder53]

here they are

[FAA]

You guys made be pull out my REAL Kyosho Tiger Moth kit.

I had snagged one up for a steal back in 2002.

I also have a Kyosho Spitfire and BF109, all in the box.

The nice thing about the Kyosho Tiger Moth is that is has a textured covering. Not glossy.

You guy may actually make me build mine. My concern with this model was always transportation to and from the field. Its not very small...

Lets see some build threads !!! :)